The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of seed pelleting with lime and with 'Magnesian Thermophosphate' on ionic absorption of three sorghum genotypes (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), cv BRS 701, BRS 304 e BRS 601. Pelletized and non-pelletized seeds were germinated during eight days at room temperature. After this period, eight plants with uniform root and shoot development, from each treatment, were transferred to a Hoagland solution. Phosphorus and potassium absorption parameters were determined after 20 days. Phosphorus and potassium uptakes varied among sorghum genotypes and were influenced by the compound used in the pelletization, which affected initial plant growth. Phosphorus absorption rate showed positive correlation with the dry matter of the root system and with shoot dry matter up to 3.5 µmol P plant-1 h-1 of P. Absorption rates higher than this value did not show significant correlation with shoot dry matter.
Sorghum bicolor; ionic absorption; nutrient solution